Scott Brown distances self from GOP platform

'Someone who's a pro-choice, moderate Republican is here as part of the big tent'

Published: 09/01/2012 at 12:17 AM

(Washington Times) Sen. Scott Brown was quick to distance himself from the Republican establishment after arriving in Tampa on Thursday morning, saying he’s happy to be at the convention’s final day but warning that he disagrees with parts of his party’s conservative platform.

Locked into a hard fight against Democrat Elizabeth Warren to keep his Senate seat, the Massachusetts Republican has been painting himself to voters as a centrist even as the GOP moves to the right on many issues.

“Obviously me being here is important in that it shows as someone who’s a pro-choice, moderate Republican is here as part of the big tent that we have and should have and will continue to have,” he said, speaking to reporters at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, next door to the convention center.